Process for the refinement of magnesium and magnesium alloys



Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PROCESS FOR THE REFINEMENT 0F MAGNESIUM AND MAGNESIUM ALLOYS Alexander Lusohenowsky, Berlin, GermanySerial 1936 I havefiled applications in Germany on the 3rd February;1936 and 13th May, 1936; Austria on the 21st February, 1986; Hungary onthe 28th passing through the molten metal-vapours which are emitted byan aqueous solution'of hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen being, if desired,ledthrough the solution of hydrogen peroxide and then passed through themolten metal.

Now, I have discovered as a result of further investigations that theefliciency of this process can be increased to a surprising extent if anoxide of manganese such as manganic. oxide (M11203) or manganese dioxide(MnOz), is added to the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, andaccording to the present invention the molten magnesium is-treated withvapours which are emitted by an aqueous hydrogen peroxide so- .lution towhich an oxide of manganese as aforesaid has been added. Furthermore,the process according to the invention may be carried out in such mannerthat'hydrogen is led through the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxideto which an oxide of manganese has been added, and is then passed intothe molten' metal.

The addition of manganic oxide (Mn-20s) or manganese dioxide (MnOz)respectively to the ticular nitrogen compounds of magnesium). The

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out in thefollowing manner:

The magnesium is melted up with a suitable fiuxing means. To a solutionof hydrogen peroxide in water (for example a 245% solution) manganicoxide or manganese dioxide respec-' tively (i. e. MnzOa or M1102respectively) is added in powder form and well mixed in with thesolution. The quantity of manganic oxide or man- PATENT OFFICE NoDrawing. Application January 21, 1937;

N0. 121,618. In Germany February 3,

3 Claims. (01. 75-67) vganese dioxide respectively preferably amounts to1-5% of the total weight of the liquid. This mixture is heated in aclosed vessel to a temperature b'elow'its boiling point. Bythe aid of aconduit the vapours arising from the solution (hydrogen peroxide or itsdecomposition products respectively and water vapour) are passed intothe molten magnesium or magnesium alloy. During this operation thesupply. conduit is gradually immersed more and more deeply in the meltandis caused to agitate the latter.

In similar manner the refinement may be carried out by leading hydrogenthrough an aqueous I solution of hydrogenperoxide (for example a 1-12%solution), to which manganic oxide or manganese dioxide respectively(M11203 or MnOz respectively) has been addedin powder form in a quantityamounting to 1-5% of the total weight of the liquid, the latter beingcontained in a closed vessel, and is then passed intothe moltenmagnesium or magnesium alloy as the case may be. During this operation,as previously de-' scribed, the supply conduit which is provided at itslower end with perforations is gradually immersed more and more deeplyin the molten metal and is employed at the same time for agitating themelt.

The refinement takes place very rapidly. With a crucible of 5 kg.capacity it only requires about 1 minute. The surface of the refinedmelt is as bright as a mirror. After the refinement the melt is allowedto stand for a few minutes after which the metal can be cast or pouredwithout protection against gas or other protecting shields.

I claim:

1. A process for the refinement of magnesium and magnesium-alloys,comprising in'steps: melting the metal which is to be refined; andpassing' through the moltenmetal the vapours emitted by an aqueoussolution of hydrogen peroxide containing anoxide of manganese.

2. A process for the refinement of magnesium and magnesium alloys,comprising in steps:

melting the metal which is to be refined; and

passing through the molten metal the vapours emanating from an aqueoussolution of hydrogen peroxide which has been heated to a temperaturebelow its boiling point and to whichan oxide of manganese has beenaddedin a quantity amounting to l to 5% of'the total weight of the liquid. 3.A process for the refinement of magnesium and magnesium" alloys,comprising in. steps:

melting the metal which is to be refined; and

leading into the molten metal hydrogen which has been passed through anaqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to which an oxide of manganese hasbeen added in a quantity amounting to 1 to 5% of the total weight ofthaliquid.

ALEXANDER LUSCHENOWSKY.

